Saintes
FranceCfa
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
Au bord de la Charente | On the banks of the Charente
Why visit
The Roman ruins are the obvious draw, the 1st-century Arch of Germanicus moved stone by stone to the riverbank, and the partially excavated amphitheatre that once held 15,000. Romanesque pilgrim churches line the route to Santiago de Compostela: the Abbaye aux Dames hosts a renowned summer classical music festival. The covered market on Cours Reverseaux is excellent for Charentais oysters, Périgord melons, and Cognac. Use Saintes as a quiet base for day trips to Cognac, Royan beaches, and Île de Ré.
When to avoid
August can feel sleepy as locals decamp to the coast, many restaurants close. The river occasionally floods low quays after heavy rain. Don't expect nightlife or major crowds, Saintes is provincial France at its most relaxed. Sunday closures are strict outside the central market hours. Train connections work but require planning. Rural buses run sparingly.
.svg){kind=link}